home defense shotgun choice?

[ShamGlock]

If he is on a really tight budget I saw a shotgun at the last Shriner's show here in town that was called an Ultra 87. Imported by Century. It was a clone of an 870, came with 2 barrels and the shorter home defense barrel had hi-viz sights on it. All for $235. I didn't look it over all that hard but I remeber thinking that it wasn't a bad deal.

[Chucktshoes]

The mavericks are not drilled and tapped for a rail some of the 500 models are and some aren't.(I think it's the A models aren't).

On the Mossberg 500 the following letter designates gauge. "A" =12ga "B" = 16ga "C"= 20 and "E" = .410 bore. I have a 500A Persuader with the 20" bbl and 7 shot tube (listed as 8 shot model) it is drilled and tapped for a rail. There are so many versions of the 500 that it makes it quite hard to determine the features without seeing the individual gun in person.

[I_Like_Pie]

If it is going to sit in a closet for years and years at ready state...the choice is easy.

Get the maverick for $170 from Academy sports and be done with it. It is every bit as good for self defense in the home as any shotgun made....$170 or $2000. NO difference at all in function.

[Kenstaroni]

Mossberg 500 Persuader

I've had three of them and friends and family keep buying them off me..lol

Pump action, 7+1, work great and are reliable.

Get it at Bellshire Guns just north of Nashville near Rivergate Mall. They have them on gunbroker, however they will cut you a deal in person and waive the Gunbroker fee's. I think they are $285 out the door!

[Magiccarpetrides]

or this

IAC 1897 TRENCH GUN 12 ga 20" W/ Bayonet lug : Pump at GunBroker.com

lol

[Magiccarpetrides]

Shotgun is far superior to a handgun for home defense. I'll take the risk of not being able to hear over living to see another day. Plus, the body compensates when it is under extreme duress. I doubt any permanent hearing damage would result from having to discharge your 12 gauge indoors.

I will have to say thats not true as far as the hearing...if your ears are ringing you just lost some. That being said...my go to gun at home is either my 870 Police Magnum or my 870 AOW 12ga

[Guest pwhphd]

If your friend is really on a tight budget, I agree with DaddyO and CK1 that the H&R Pardner Pump marketed by New England Firearms is probably the best buy. To abtain the best price he will need to shop around. I bought mine a few months ago from Buds Gun Shop for $156. I opted for a 20 gauge with a 20" barrel configured for youth with synthetic stocks. The addition of a 115 Lumen LED black flashlight from Walmart for $12.88 and attached with a barrel mount for $6.91 and the whole thing is tricked out for $178.59. It will be only 1/2" longer than a 12 gauge with 18.5" barrel, but with lighter recoil [for the wife] and plenty of power at home defense distances and a cost that will be very hard to beat!

[I_Like_Pie]

If your friend is really on a tight budget, I agree with DaddyO and CK1 that the H&R Pardner Pump marketed by New England Firearms is probably the best buy. To abtain the best price he will need to shop around. I bought mine a few months ago from Buds Gun Shop for $156. I opted for a 20 gauge with a 20" barrel configured for youth with synthetic stocks. The addition of a 115 Lumen LED black flashlight from Walmart for $12.88 and attached with a barrel mount for $6.91 and the whole thing is tricked out for $178.59. It will be only 1/2" longer than a 12 gauge with 18.5" barrel, but with lighter recoil [for the wife] and plenty of power at home defense distances and a cost that will be very hard to beat!

If you are anywhere near Chattanooga there are two Academy sports shops opening up here. I am almost 100% sure that in the next couple of weeks your buddy will be able to get a GOOD deal on something from them. That $168 Mossberg Maverick is a heck of a deal.

[daddyo]

I will have to say thats not true as far as the hearing...if your ears are ringing you just lost some. That being said...my go to gun at home is either my 870 Police Magnum or my 870 AOW 12ga

Yes, the body does compensate when under stress, and the resulting adrenaline dump does provide some protection in the auditory canal. Just how much is not clear.

At any rate, if I find myself in a home invasion situation, I don't have time to nor am I going to worry about putting on my hearing protection, and I believe some potential hearing loss is preferable to ending up 6 feet under.

Even though I don't have any data to support it, I doubt the hearing loss suffered by discharging a 12 gauge is much worse than discharging a .357 or .45 without hearing protection.

[Derek]

+eleventy billion for the Mossy 500. Got one at my house. great 12ga.